Thurdsay, April 5, 2012

Thought I'd spice this one up a bit and change the text color and the background color. You know, for fun. 

I feel like the Lord has placed a lot on my heart these past few days. Some of it was very frustrating to me and some still is. Going on walks seems to be an almost daily occurrence for me. (It's the best way I process things). One of the things that the Lord has placed on my heart is Community and what it looks like and how to pursue it. It comes straight from Acts.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and

many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who

believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling 

their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any

had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread

in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising

God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number

day by day those who were being saved."  -Acts 2:42-47

This shows me what true community is. A joyous union of believers who enjoy the company of the people they are with because they are united in God. "All who believed were together and had all things in common." "...praising God and having favor with all the people." Sometimes I feel like there is no awe in Christian communities. We expect the Lord to work in a certain way within our community and that takes away from the overwhelming presence of our Lord. Our expectations lower His power in our minds, we belittle God and take away from the awe of who He truly is. Here is a key part of community; devotion. "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship..." The definition of fellowship is, according to dictionary.com:

1. the condition or relation of being a fellow: the fellowship of humankind.

2. friendly relationship; companionship: the fellowship of father and son.

3. community of interest, feeling, etc.

4. communion, as between members of the same church.

5. friendliness. 

They devoted themselves to the community, their relations, their communion. The definition of communion according to dictionary.com is:

2. a group of persons having a common religious faith; a religious denomination: Anglican communion.

3. association; fellowship.

4. interchange or sharing of thoughts or emotions; intimate communication: communion with nature.

5. the act of sharing, or holding in common; participation.

 

The people have to be willing to devote themselves to the group in order to have community. If they are unwilling to do this, there is no community, just a work place environment. And it has to be the majority group. In order for a community to grow in God they must be devoted to His teachings and devoted to the fellowship of the group. A superficial group will not grow. They may grow in numbers, but their hearts wont grow. And I am not saying that God can't and wont use these groups. God can do whatever He wants because He's God. I'm just saying that He will be displeased.

Community is a wonder gift that God has given us to enjoy and grow in. Personally, I've seen the most growth in my life when I am in a strong community of believes who are united with one another know only in God, but united in each other. A desire to get to know them and what God is doing in their lives spurs me on. It's a spur that I only get from community. This type of community only comes from spending time with other believers, acknowledging their faults and striving towards God together. 

Romans 12:9-10
"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."